Rockwell Danger Paget

 Wendy here. Peggy couldn't get on the blog so I told her I would post the pics for her. Isn't Rockwell super cute?! I love the red blonde hair! I see alot of Thad in him. We're so excited to welcome him in to our family and can't wait for lots of hugs, cuddles, and kisses!

Thanksgiving in New Mexico

We had so much fun! Joy was such a wonderful hostess and the Thanksgiving feast we put together was insanely delicious! I can't wait to see Paul and Kristyn and the Paynes again in a few weeks. 

True to the faith.

I have to comment on this because this morning the Today show said the person of interest for the week was Joseph Smith. The statement was from the church and  they said Joseph Smith had 40 wives. Not much more than that.
I read a book by Orson Scott Card about a women who was married to him and the book and perspective  upset me so I looked into it. Take note: I was warned by 3 ladies not to go into it, it is better not to know some things .What! I am basing my life around something and I better not go into it too deep! not for me, I want to know about all of it, every detail.  So I did.
I started with the internet and found a book by a BYU professor who is not excommunicated and is still teaching. I click onto his book.
In his book he was able to find 33 wives. He has a life bio. for each of them and it is interesting, sad, misunderstood and soul searching information.  I can't find it(the name)  today, but it should be on line.
So the comments from the women were very mixed. Some married other men  later and left the church, some stayed and just lived a normal life without him in it. Apparently sex was not a part of  most of these marriages. Some women were married to Joseph Smith with their husband standing right there in the ceremony. So weird!
Joseph Smith married some of these women because he loved their husbands so much. He thought that marring them meant that they would all be sealed together-wife and other husband- and be in heaven in that condition. He was a little mixed up. He never, as far as this professor wrote, supported these women financially. So in short this polygamist system for Joseph Smith was just a binding people together. Most of these women had children by other men and lived less than happy lives. Joseph Smith kept these marriages secret from Emma and the main body of the church. He was threaten remember by an angel to do this or end his life.
At one point, Joseph had two sisters that he married, living  in the mansion house. Emma was fine until she saw that  Joseph spent time in their rooms and not with her at night. (Don't know if it was one night, each sister or what) she threw them out. At this point, Emma thought it was adultery or it appeared to be adultery. Remember she clamed that polygamy was not practiced by Joseph.
In short, he was not painted or clamed by any of these women to be lecherous or dirty or insistent or anything.  Some women -who left the church - maybe they spread rumors, who knows.
One more thing. One women on her death bed told here daughter that she was the daughter of Joseph Smith. So, there you have it. Sex-  it did happen. But it didn't happen 40 times.( I suppose she can be believed.) They, most all  of the women, went out west and had to take care of themselves or married other men.
Can you still accept Joseph to be a prophet even though he had some mixed up ideas? All of  you come from polygamist families.  Hatch and Smith on Dads side and Price on my side.
So as you go about your day, remember he was not a sex fiend or screwball. This will all be sorted out. Don't loose your testimony on this stuff.

I found this very interesting!

http://nedhardy.com/2013/05/01/which-one-are-you-the-effects-of-birth-order-on-personality/

This is the new dog. We missed Bear so much and we saw this little dog at the pound. She is smaller than Bear in weight and peppy-er. She is 1 year old. She was a stray so we know very little about her. So far it has been a good start. Joys kids were here and she was nice to them so I think it will be ok.
Take care and come see us when you can.
Love Mom.

Just so you know.

Grandparents are parents with less rules, more sleep, and more cookies.
Love Grandma

Happy Fathers Day!

Happy Fathers Day, Dad/Grandpa!  This is you holding new little Sara.  And Happy Fathers day to my brothers, brother-in-laws, husband, friends,....  All these strong men who are great examples to us and our children. It truly is the greatest calling given to man.  Even if you don't have kids of your own, you are an important part in raising and influencing the children around you.   Love You!

Our new House!!

We close on Wednesday, party at our house!

Having a good week. Thought I would look back to a few years ago.
Thanks for posting your pictures and stories. Please keep going because that is the way I and Grandpa see you and the kids most of the time.
This picture was from Colusa, CA. and at a ward adult social of some kind. I am chewing ice.
Love you all.
Grandma

 HI Family,
Today was Stake Conference. It was great and fulfilling.
One of the interesting thoughts in a talk  was this. What shoes would you call special because you had them on when you were standing is sacred places. (Talking about Holy places and trying to seek them out)
One women said it was her hiking boots because it was where it took her. Another said it was it slippers because she had them on when she got an answer to a prayer.
For me it is definitely temple shoes because of working in the Temple. What is it for you?  There is probably more than one pair. Any experiences?
Thanks so much for your input at Christmas. I love the responses.

Love MOm

Happy Graduation Sam!

Sam graduated this week!  Sam has worked hard juggling, life, srtuggles, work, and school. We are all excited for him and know he'll bring an element of compassion and understanding that will make him a great counselor. Here are some shots from the week.

 Sam looks so good in his gown, we convinced him to wear it all day!

 Sam held a party that night for people who couldn't drive up to Flagstaff. Fun to meet his friends and roommates.

 

And for perspective from Sam's day of celebration- we have Mackay at his kindergarten Christmas concert.  He is the black hole in the middle of all that Christmas cheer!  

We loved all our house guests! You were so wonderful and helpful, but Zoë showed up everyone by cleaning up after herself and us. Her attention to detail put me to shame.

A Night Time Wish

Wanting to go down early to my dearest bed
I shook the day's worries out of my head
My cares floating slowly without any sound
Like snow in the mountains came tumbling down

Out fell the recipe that I should surely soon try
Then the list of ingredients  swiftly came by
 Next the decision to fix the draft by the door
The furnace runs daily it seems more and mor

The thank-you note I must write for the kindness of others
What a blessing to have closely sisters and brothers
Next an appointment with my local physician
To see if he can cure my sleepless condition

Out fell the guilt of the  food   I'd   consumed
Tomorrow I'll find discipline and keep it uptuned
Out falls the worry of money, sewing, and cleaning
Out falls the scriptures that for me has much meaning

Out falls the memory  of the words I had said
I regret, negative and unthinking thoughts I had spread
A charge to do better to my friends and dear souls
I must find a way to fill empty bowls

Alas I am done, but what now do I see
Because of the worries, there's no room for me!
The bed's full or sorrows and things I should fix
Alas, I'll go see if there's some hot chocolate mix.

Your mother

Dedicated to Jenny:

A child gives the world to you. If only all children had loving parents and safe homes and caring friends.  Children are a privilege and a sacred duty. 
This was from my book on English Literature.
The poet Keats said about a baby born to an unwed mother," it is a stumbling way to  begin  a soul."

To describe families.
On teachers:
A parent gives a child the opportunity for life, a teacher gives a child the opportunity to live well.(Pres. David O 'McKay.)
This is a conference statement by Pres. McKay. Home is the place where we form attitudes. Home is where hope if formed or destroyed. A happy home is but an earlyier heaven.

I am studying Wordsworth and Austin this week. Interesting poetry and ideas. Have a good week.
MOM

We had a great time last week. We (3 other couples) went to Hole in the Rock in Utah. The opening that the saints in Southern Utah went down as they migrated to pioneer another community. How they got their wagons down that I will never understand. It was so breath-taking in the length and depth they had to travel. Now there is water at the bottom, Lake Powell. But it is still a long way down.We had a great time with all 8 of us seasoned friends.  We came home by way of Fish Lake and that was beautiful too. Just thought you'd like to know.
There was a bus of "old people" who were traveling from North Carolina. They were taking a break by a gas station we had stopped at. Jenny asked if we stood out like a sore thumb? No, we fit right in. I will  get pictures so show you I hope.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Kristyn!

Happy Birthday to our Fav California Girl!    (Some one with a better picture, please replace this one!)  You are wonderful and up-beat. It is always a party when you are around-complete with something really yummy that you just 'whipped up'.  You are a great Mom, Sister, Sister-n-law, and wife to our bro. We love you. Celebrate Big!